Are you giving your life to God as a tithe or as an offering?

A tithe recognizes what is owed. An offering is given willingly, from love, gratitude, and relationship. Every life belongs to God, and one day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. The question is whether we will surrender to Him only because He has the authority to require it, or whether we will gladly offer ourselves because He is our God, our Father, and our Savior.

In this devotional follow-up to our Kingdom Commodities message, “Money, Wealth, Possessions and Eternity,” we consider the difference between reluctant obligation and joyful surrender. The unfaithful servant in the parable of the talents still had to return what belonged to his master, but the cheerful giver gives willingly, and the believers in Macedonia “gave themselves first to the Lord.”

Romans 12:1 calls us to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, not merely because God has authority over us, but “by the mercies of God.” The law tells us that God is owed our lives. The gospel tells us that God gave His Son to redeem our lives. Worship responds, “Lord, I gladly give myself to You.”

When your life is finally returned to God, will it be surrendered like a debt collected from an unwilling servant, or presented as an offering from a child who knows and loves the Father?

Scriptures referenced:

Philippians 2:9–11
Psalm 24:1
Malachi 3:8
Matthew 25:24–25
2 Corinthians 9:7
2 Corinthians 8:5
Romans 12:1

This devotional accompanies our Kingdom Commodities teaching series at Cedar Springs Community Church in Graham, Washington.

Join us Sundays at 10:00 AM.

Cedar Springs Community Church
Graham, Washington 98338
https://cedarspringsnw.com